Facing no opposition, all six candidates including Joscelyn Barnard, Heather Gartshore, Jack McClintock, Brett Smyth, Celia Stock and Murray Weisenberger, will have a seat on North Saanich council.
Residents will, however, have a say in the race for mayor as two candidates square off for the top spot.
We asked each candidate how they would make the municipality a better place and to outline their top three key initiatives. Here are their responses.
Dorthy Hartshorne
Vision: An inclusive rural residential community comprised of diverse and unique neighbourhoods managed by a dynamic team of council and staff.
1. Decisive Leadership
• Lead a dynamic team of council and staff.
• Deliver exemplary customer service while setting policy in partnership with council and staff.
• Lead the community in continuing development of future vision and setting priorities.
2. Expert Facilitation
• Facilitate council in collaborative decision making.
• Facilitate the voice of community members.
• Facilitate staff in expediting process.
3. Innovative Communication
• Ensure the voices of all the residents are heard and respected by investigating alternative and innovative means of communication, public involvement and community engagement.
• Create a communication committee comprised of experts from within our community.
Mayor and council have a responsibility to ensure communication between residents and the District is effective, informative and current. I would make North Saanich a better place by changing and improving the North Saanich communication style.
Geoff Orr
1. Affordability
• Encourage a limited increase in supply of non-market rental housing purpose built for moderate to low income households ($60,000 per year) by utilizing the new affordable housing policy framework.
2. Agriculture
• Establish a thriving agricultural sector through leveraged provincial investment and regional partnerships. Advance current initiatives such as transitioning the Sandown agricultural lands and the Agriculture Economic Development Strategy recommendations.
3. Indigenous Relations
• Enhance our relationships with Tseycum and Pauquachin Nations by encouraging and providing opportunities for meaningful conversations.
The District of North Saanich is a wonderful place to live. We have enviable access to rural and agricultural areas, well established parks and trail networks, close proximity to the marine environment, a thriving industrial and marine sector, and are home to the region’s air and marine transportation hubs.
We can incrementally improve all aspects of our municipality by creating an environment in which transparency and communication are emphasized.